Armenian premier says no progress expected in Karabakh talks

Ayots Ashkar, Yerevan
15 Sep 04

Text of Armen Akopyan’s report by Armenian newspaper Ayots Ashkar on
15 September headlined “Azerbaijan showed its real face”

Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan left for the capital
of Kazakhstan Astana yesterday [14 September] to take part at the
CIS summit. Before leaving, he answered journalists’ questions at
Zvartnots airport.

[Ayots Ashkar correspondent] What are your expectations from the
meeting that will take place in Astana? What problems will you discuss?

[Andranik Markaryan] The expectations are not very big. This is simply
a regular meeting of CIS government leaders. At the same time, CIS
presidents will also meet.

Fight against terrorism will be in the centre of attention. Certainly,
there are also economic problems, and the powers of the economic
council should be outlined. These are regulation problems in the work
of tax structures and transport.

[Correspondent] How do you assess the fact that Azerbaijan did not
issue visas to Armenian officers to attend NATO exercises, and the
fact that NATO cancelled the exercises?

[Markaryan] This step evidently demonstrated Azerbaijan’s attitude
towards the Karabakh issue. Because Azerbaijan viewed participation
in the NATO exercises in the context of the Karabakh issue. And the
NATO leadership made an absolutely correct decision, showing that
this international organization provides equal opportunities to all
its member countries.

I think that this international organization, as well as the
world community, have understood very well that there is a great
difference between what the Azerbaijani leadership says and what
it does. Certain arrangements are made at meetings with the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairmen as well as at meetings of the two presidents
[Armenian and Azerbaijani]. But they present them to their people or
political forces in such a way that does not correspond to the made
arrangements. For this reason, the talks do not progress much. I
think with this action Azerbaijan showed its real face.

Last time two Armenian officers took part in a NATO conference [in
Baku]. But you also remember how they were received in Baku. They
held a show trial and sentenced leaders of the Karabakh Liberation
Organization to several years [in prison]. But this time they are one
more step ahead. Not only public and political organizations expressed
their displeasure, but also the Azerbaijani parliament and officials
voiced what they really thought.

[Correspondent] What can you say regarding [Azerbaijani President]
Ilham Aliyev’s statement that this meeting in Astana could be crucial
in the Karabakh settlement?

[Markaryan] I think that no serious shifts or changes have taken place
recently in the positions which could lead to a certain progress at
the Astana meeting. The latest events show that even if there are
serious changes, they will have negative rather than positive results.